Music: Four Mini Album Reviews
I didn't have the time to review these albums when I got them, but now I'll lump them all together and write a paragraph or two about each.
First up is Panic at the Disco's Pretty. Odd. It's starts out with "We're So Starving,"
a Sgt. Pepper conceit, the band apologizing for abandoning their dance-emo fusin sound from their first record (which honestly isn't as bad as most music critic types remember, and wouldn't have been bad at all if it hadn't become so freakin ubiquitous) to bring this 60s-homage style out for their sophomore effort. Then the album moves swiftly into the first single, "Nine in the Afternoon," an excellent pop-rock song. Overall, the album has a nice feel to it, and is pretty even overall in terms of quality and sound. "Northern Downpour" shows not only the 'new' sound, but also a growth in terms of songwriting. "Pas De Cheval" is also a fun tune.
Rating: 3 1/2 stars
Must-Downloads: "Nine in the Afternoon," "Northern Downpour"
Next is R.E.M.'s new effort, Accelerate.
It's hard for me to gauge this album in the context of R.E.M.'s entire catalog, as this is the first R.E.M. album I've ever bought. That being said, I really like this album. It's a truly solid effort, and accomplished putting the band on my radar (besides hits like "Losing My Religion"). I firmly believe that in the future, the Bush Administration will be looked upon as a golden age of older musicians rekindling their fire because Bush makes them so angry. The Eagles, Neil Young, John Fogerty, etc., have all done it, and R.E.M. is no exception. Nothing mentions Bush by name on this album (a smart move, I think), but it isn't exactly an "all is right with the world" album, either.
Anyway, this album leads off with "Living Well is the Best Revenge," a fest-tempo song that demonstrates that R.E.M. wants you to know this album will rock. They follow up on that promise with track three (and the first single) "Supernatural Superserious," which is the song that made me buy this album the day it came out. I also really like "Sing for the Submarine," and "Horse to Water," which should be released as a single. The last track on the album, "I'm Gonna DJ" is very fun, and a nod to "It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)." Out of the bonus tracks, I eagerly await the eventual Jack White cover of "Redhead Walking!"
Rating: 4 1/2 stars
Must-Downloads: "Supernatural Superserious," "Horse to Water," I'm Gonna DJ"
Next is a live album CD/DVD from the UK band Muse entitled HAARP.
I'll admit I mainly bought this because "Knights of Cydonia" is the best Rush song ever not written by Rush (Yes, it's better than anything Dream Theater has ever done, insofar as I'm aware) and I want to support the live CD/DVD format because too many bands only release live DVDs now. The tracks from their 2006 album, Black Holes and Revelations are featured prominently, but they aren't really expanded upon in any notable way in terms of length or fusion. a solid effort, although I wish the CD and the DVD had the same songs on them!
Rating: 4 stars
Must-Downloads: "Knights of Cydonia," "Butterflies and Hurricanes"
Finally, Goodbye Blues by The Hush Sound.
This is a fun pop-rock effort with a lot of cool melody lines. The use of piano and blues influence makes this album sound like Frank Sinatra could cover some of the songs from beyond the grave. Greta Stalpeter shines on the vocals, and gives many of songs their "pop." If you like either Pretty Odd or Michael Bublé I'd recommend you check out this album. Standout songs include "Medicine Man" and "As You Cry" Incidentally, they are touring on The 2008 Honda Civic Tour with the abovementioned Panic at the Disco.
Rating: 3 1/2 stars
Must-Downloads: "Medicine Man," "As You Cry"
First up is Panic at the Disco's Pretty. Odd. It's starts out with "We're So Starving,"
a Sgt. Pepper conceit, the band apologizing for abandoning their dance-emo fusin sound from their first record (which honestly isn't as bad as most music critic types remember, and wouldn't have been bad at all if it hadn't become so freakin ubiquitous) to bring this 60s-homage style out for their sophomore effort. Then the album moves swiftly into the first single, "Nine in the Afternoon," an excellent pop-rock song. Overall, the album has a nice feel to it, and is pretty even overall in terms of quality and sound. "Northern Downpour" shows not only the 'new' sound, but also a growth in terms of songwriting. "Pas De Cheval" is also a fun tune.Rating: 3 1/2 stars
Must-Downloads: "Nine in the Afternoon," "Northern Downpour"
Next is R.E.M.'s new effort, Accelerate.
It's hard for me to gauge this album in the context of R.E.M.'s entire catalog, as this is the first R.E.M. album I've ever bought. That being said, I really like this album. It's a truly solid effort, and accomplished putting the band on my radar (besides hits like "Losing My Religion"). I firmly believe that in the future, the Bush Administration will be looked upon as a golden age of older musicians rekindling their fire because Bush makes them so angry. The Eagles, Neil Young, John Fogerty, etc., have all done it, and R.E.M. is no exception. Nothing mentions Bush by name on this album (a smart move, I think), but it isn't exactly an "all is right with the world" album, either.Anyway, this album leads off with "Living Well is the Best Revenge," a fest-tempo song that demonstrates that R.E.M. wants you to know this album will rock. They follow up on that promise with track three (and the first single) "Supernatural Superserious," which is the song that made me buy this album the day it came out. I also really like "Sing for the Submarine," and "Horse to Water," which should be released as a single. The last track on the album, "I'm Gonna DJ" is very fun, and a nod to "It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)." Out of the bonus tracks, I eagerly await the eventual Jack White cover of "Redhead Walking!"
Rating: 4 1/2 stars
Must-Downloads: "Supernatural Superserious," "Horse to Water," I'm Gonna DJ"
Next is a live album CD/DVD from the UK band Muse entitled HAARP.
I'll admit I mainly bought this because "Knights of Cydonia" is the best Rush song ever not written by Rush (Yes, it's better than anything Dream Theater has ever done, insofar as I'm aware) and I want to support the live CD/DVD format because too many bands only release live DVDs now. The tracks from their 2006 album, Black Holes and Revelations are featured prominently, but they aren't really expanded upon in any notable way in terms of length or fusion. a solid effort, although I wish the CD and the DVD had the same songs on them!Rating: 4 stars
Must-Downloads: "Knights of Cydonia," "Butterflies and Hurricanes"
Finally, Goodbye Blues by The Hush Sound.
This is a fun pop-rock effort with a lot of cool melody lines. The use of piano and blues influence makes this album sound like Frank Sinatra could cover some of the songs from beyond the grave. Greta Stalpeter shines on the vocals, and gives many of songs their "pop." If you like either Pretty Odd or Michael Bublé I'd recommend you check out this album. Standout songs include "Medicine Man" and "As You Cry" Incidentally, they are touring on The 2008 Honda Civic Tour with the abovementioned Panic at the Disco.Rating: 3 1/2 stars
Must-Downloads: "Medicine Man," "As You Cry"
Labels: Music
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